Dear Juno, Or Any Other Pregnant Teenager in the Same Situation,
My name is Delaney, and I’m a senior at Foothill Technology High School. While I have the utmost respect for you, I have a few things to say about your decision.
As far as the legality of abortion goes, the Roe v. Wade decision shows that the right to privacy under the 14th amendment applies to a woman’s right to an abortion. In this 1973 case, the Court ruled that states cannot outlaw or regulate abortion during the first trimester of pregnancy, can only establish regulations reasonably related to maternal health in the second and third trimesters, and can establish laws protecting the life of the fetus in the third trimester only (although exceptions had to be made in order to protect the life of the mother). Thus it is legally acceptable to have an abortion in the United States. However, whether it is morally acceptable is something entirely different.
In order to give my opinion on whether abortion is morally acceptable or not, I need to mention my background and my view on premarital sex. I am a Christian and I live my life by the standards set out in the Bible. I therefore believe in abstinence because, for one thing, it is the only 100% guaranteed form of contraception, but more importantly, because God expects his worshippers to abstain from sexual immorality, or sex outside of marriage. (1 Thessalonians 4:3) So, I believe that young unmarried teens shouldn’t be having sex in the first place. As regards abortion, God views life as sacred. He even views an embryo as its own living being. (Psalm 139:16) In addition, God stated that a person who injured or killed an unborn child was to be accountable for the injury or death. Therefore, aborting, or killing, an unborn child is murder. (Exodus 20:13; 21:22, 23) Consequently, I don’t agree with abortion at any stage of pregnancy.
Did Juno do the right thing by putting her unborn child up for adoption rather than aborting it? My answer is yes. Of course, I still believe in abstinence, but I think that in Juno’s case, she did the right thing. Should a teen find themselves in Juno’s situation, I think that their decision depends on their family situation. I cannot condone abortion, so I think that if one’s family situation and home life would not be conducive to raising a happy and healthy child, adoption would be best. If one has a supportive family environment, then I think the teen and her family should raise the child. After all, she felt that she was mature enough to be having sex, thus she should be mature enough to raise a child.
Family planning is something that shouldn't be taken lightly. I think that a married couple should plan very well before having a child. This is another reason I think that teens should abstain from sex. Teens who are having premarital sex aren’t taking family planning into consideration. A potential parent needs to be well prepared to raise a child, and teens, even the more mature ones, are simply too young to raise children. Bringing a child into the world and raising it is the highest and one of the most important responsibilities in existence; obviously one should be extensively prepared to take on this serious responsibility.
With all of this being said, I would never disrespect anyone for their decision. Although the Bible shows that abortion is wrong, it also shows that Christians must “honor all sorts” of people (1 Pet. 2:17). It is your life, your body and your choice, not mine. It is not my place to judge you based on your decisions.
Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. I hope that everything works out for the best for you and your family.
Dear Juno, Or Any Other Pregnant Teenager in the Same Situation,
My name is Delaney, and I’m a senior at Foothill Technology High School. While I have the utmost respect for you, I have a few things to say about your decision.
As far as the legality of abortion goes, the Roe v. Wade decision shows that the right to privacy under the 14th amendment applies to a woman’s right to an abortion. In this 1973 case, the Court ruled that states cannot outlaw or regulate abortion during the first trimester of pregnancy, can only establish regulations reasonably related to maternal health in the second and third trimesters, and can establish laws protecting the life of the fetus in the third trimester only (although exceptions had to be made in order to protect the life of the mother). Thus it is legally acceptable to have an abortion in the United States. However, whether it is morally acceptable is something entirely different.
In order to give my opinion on whether abortion is morally acceptable or not, I need to mention my background and my view on premarital sex. I am a Christian and I live my life by the standards set out in the Bible. I therefore believe in abstinence because, for one thing, it is the only 100% guaranteed form of contraception, but more importantly, because God expects his worshippers to abstain from sexual immorality, or sex outside of marriage. (1 Thessalonians 4:3) So, I believe that young unmarried teens shouldn’t be having sex in the first place. As regards abortion, God views life as sacred. He even views an embryo as its own living being. (Psalm 139:16) In addition, God stated that a person who injured or killed an unborn child was to be accountable for the injury or death. Therefore, aborting, or killing, an unborn child is murder. (Exodus 20:13; 21:22, 23) Consequently, I don’t agree with abortion at any stage of pregnancy.
Did Juno do the right thing by putting her unborn child up for adoption rather than aborting it? My answer is yes. Of course, I still believe in abstinence, but I think that in Juno’s case, she did the right thing. Should a teen find themselves in Juno’s situation, I think that their decision depends on their family situation. I cannot condone abortion, so I think that if one’s family situation and home life would not be conducive to raising a happy and healthy child, adoption would be best. If one has a supportive family environment, then I think the teen and her family should raise the child. After all, she felt that she was mature enough to be having sex, thus she should be mature enough to raise a child.
Family planning is something that shouldn't be taken lightly. I think that a married couple should plan very well before having a child. This is another reason I think that teens should abstain from sex. Teens who are having premarital sex aren’t taking family planning into consideration. A potential parent needs to be well prepared to raise a child, and teens, even the more mature ones, are simply too young to raise children. Bringing a child into the world and raising it is the highest and one of the most important responsibilities in existence; obviously one should be extensively prepared to take on this serious responsibility.
With all of this being said, I would never disrespect anyone for their decision. Although the Bible shows that abortion is wrong, it also shows that Christians must “honor all sorts” of people (1 Pet. 2:17). It is your life, your body and your choice, not mine. It is not my place to judge you based on your decisions.
Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. I hope that everything works out for the best for you and your family.
Sincerely,
Delaney W.